Category Archives: Compositions

Hungry – for voice, guitar, and electronics (2018)

Compositions, Performances

 

Jenifer DeBellis, text
Elena Hensel, voice
Joo Won Park, composer
Bianca Pokrzywa, guitar

This is an intimate conversation between the guitar and the voice on being hungry and poor. The electronic part in the piece represents the hunger: it influences the person’s thoughts, emotions, and actions, however subtle or disruptive it is.
The piece was commissioned by The Oakland University Guitar Ensemble (Bret Hoag, director) as a part of the Bridging the Gaps: Guitars for Social Justice project.

PDF Score and necessary electronics part can be found at the following link

https://app.box.com/s/zt44c58oqpk98ru9k25azptfo6y0mrm6

an excerpt of the score

an excerpt of the score

Performance by Bret Hoag and Lynnae Lehfeldt

PS Quartet No.1 News

Announcement, Compositions

My PS Quartet No. 1 for electronic ensemble had an exciting debut season last year. In addition to multiple performances, the piece was featured in Score Follower. You can now watch the score of the piece while listening to the recording:

Compare this with the original video:

 

I also have received a grant to write and perform more piece for electronic ensembles from the Wayne State University’s Arts and Humanities Research Enhancement Program.  The PS Quartet was used as an example of what the possibility of an electronic ensemble. With the grant, I will be purchasing 16 Dualshock controllers and write a piece for a large-scale electronic ensemble. More info soon!

 

PS Quartet No.1 – for game controllers and computers

Compositions, Research, ,

PS Quartet No.1 is a piece for Sony DualShock 4 Controllers and computer. All sound and graphics were created with SuperCollider. This piece is written for small to large laptop ensembles.

The piece was premiered and recorded by EMEWS (Electronic Music Ensemble of Wayne State). In the recording above, the piece was performed by the following members (from left to right)

  • Sean Monaghan
  • Laura Apolloni
  • James VanRysseghem
  • Joey McLennan
  • Charles Moore

This piece can be performed by anyone with a PlayStation controller and a computer. Instructions, scores, and necessary codes are available at the following link:

https://app.box.com/s/xnivx2nxyisjzsiydeb8t9zgkrhtvph1

I am particularly happy with the score of the piece!

demopage

Instructions for Hardware and Software Setup 

Hardware

  • 4 X Playstation 4 Dualshock Game Controller
  • 4 X Computers running SuperCollider ( http://supercollider.github.io/download )
  • 4 X Audio Cables to connect the computer’s audio output to the speakers
  • 4 X Speakers (or to the house mixer if)
  • Each part can be performed by multiple performers if more hardware is available

Syncing PS4 controller to the computer via Bluetooth (preferred method)

  1. Turn the computer’s Bluetooth on. Open Bluetooth preference
  2. Hold PS+Share Buttons in the Dualshock Game Controller for few seconds until the light starts to blink
  3. The controller will appear as Wireless Controller in the Bluetooth Preference. 
  4. Click Pair
  5. For PC, use DS4Windows (http://ds4windows.com/) to connect DualShock
  6. Demo video available at https://youtu.be/HtVqxt4RMns 

Connecting PS4 controller to the computer via USB 

  1. Turn off the computer’s Bluetooth to avoid a possible confusion
  2. The controller should be automatically paired with the computer whenever it is on

Software Setup

  1. Download the SuperCollider codes from joowonpark.net/psquartet1 
  2. Turn on the controller before opening SuperCollider
  3. Open SuperCollider
  4. Each performer opens one of the files from PSQ1-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, or Bass according to his/her part and the connection (there are different files for USB and Bluetooth)
  5. Go to Menu->Language->Evaluate File. The screen will become black and the patch is ready to start.
  6. To quit or stop, press command+. (period) or an equivalent shortcut of Stop in Menu->Language

Monophonic Triplets (2017) for Multiple Desktops

Compositions

Monophonic Triplets was inspired by Poeme Electronique, which introduced site-specific electronic music to a great population in 1950’s. It is also my attempt to convert a ubiquitous space and tool into an expressive instrument.

 

The video above is a small-scale demo and a technical demonstration. Imagine this piece in a computer lab or a gallery. The piece can be easily transferred and extended to a large number of computers.

If you are interested in running Monophonic Triplets in a computer lab or a gallery, contact me at joowon(at)joowonpark(dot)net. I can create a customized code for any number of computers.

Link to SuperCollider Codes for Monophonic Triplets Quintet Version